Welcome back everyone... It seems as though this story isn't really getting that much popularity compared to the first... I won't abandon it or quit, but it is quite disheartening to see...

Anyhow, enough depressing stuff, enjoy the chapter!

Post Xcution

Chapter 3

Tiburón

(Karakura Town):

Ichigo was calmly gliding through the air on a weekend patrol of his own volition. It felt refreshing to have his powers back. Those two years had been a dull torture for him. He landed on a nearby roof as he detected something unexpected with his (admittedly poor) sensory skills. It was a garganta, but only a small one.

Steeling himself, the teen flew off in the direction of the disturbance. It was from somewhere on the edge of Karakura, near a moderately sized lake. As he approached, he caught sight of a lone female near the water's edge, staring over the lake. From what he could see and sense, she was a blonde arrancar with messy hair and tanned skin. If memory of what he'd been told served true, she was Halibel, the former third espada and current ruler of Hueco Mundo.

As he drew closer, she drew her zanpakto, her back still facing him. There was a brief yellow light, then the sword was gone. Instead, there stood another female. One covered in a bone white bodysuit of natural armour with a blue section at the front of her torso. There was a sharp shark fin on her back, along with smaller ones on her forearms and the back of her calves. The only exposed area was her face, displaying unnaturally pale skin. Her messy hair was sea blue and slightly longer than her master's, while her eyes were an eerie, almost glowing yellow. She gave a stretch and yawn, revealing her sharp, triangular teeth.

Her oculars widened slightly as they registered the young soul reaper who had touched down a small distance away from the two of them. "Master, we've got company," she informed in a slightly deep, mature tone and level manner.

"I know Tiburón" Halibel replied calmly in her usual way, arms folded. "But I doubt that this particular one will act rashly from what I know." She shifted to face the newcomer in acknowledgement. "Ichigo Kurosaki."

The orange-haired teen nodded in affirmation. "Yeah, that's me. Halibel right? I heard that you're in charge of Hueco Mundo now. Any reason you decided to drop by like this?"

"Don't worry, I'm not here to cause any sort of trouble," the arrancar assured. "I simply came here for a break. Hueco Mundo isn't exactly a calm place and trying to keep the hollows and remaining arrancar in check does get rather tedious at times, not to mention frustrating. This spot is where I like to come for some peace and solitude."

"I see," said Ichigo understandingly. "Well, so long as nothing bad happens, I don't have any issue with it."

Once the silence had settled, Tiburón slowly approached the young war hero, her yellow eyes seeming to scan his being. A small hum came from her throat as she studied his face and spiritual pressure. To his credit, Ichigo remained calm, only raising an eyebrow inquiry. The spirit took a few experimental sniffs, as though trying to discern something. After a moment, she gave him something between a smile and a smirk.

"You have a hidden ferocity in you," the zanpakto spirit stated. "Wild and powerful, like a hollow, but restrained. Like a fire that could blaze into an inferno at a moment's notice."

Ichigo lightly crossed his arms. "And?"

The shark-like zanpakto's expression fully shifted into a smirk, a somewhat amused and satisfied one. Barely a second later, she was pressed against the teenage substitute, her arms wrapped around his shoulders. Her body was cool to the touch, even through his shihakusho. Her head came to rest in the crook of his neck, mouth whispering into his ear. "It's almost opposite to my element of water, yet has a comfortable, even pleasant warmth. Also, in a way, that ferocity of yours reminds me of a shark; strong and ruthless if crossed. It has a certain appeal to it…"

Tiburón's embrace tightened for a second before she pulled back, leaving Ichigo rigid with a noticeable dusting of red across his cheeks. Her eyes displayed a mischievous glint as she sent him a wink.

Halibel sighed audibly. "Tiburón, stop teasing him," she admonished, along with giving a small glare.

"You don't know what I said. Besides, what if I was serious?" the spirit playfully countered. Ichigo's embarrassed splutter only served to increase the size of her victorious grin to almost predatory levels.

Maintaining an unimpressed stare, the former third epsada turned on her heel and wordlessly opened a small garganta. "Come on, let's go back before those three start worrying too much."

"Yeah, I'm right behind you," Tiburón acquiesced with a minute shrug of her shoulders. However, just before she entered the portal after her wielder, she used sonido to once again grab Ichigo in a hug whilst the latter was unaware. "I hope to see you again next time we drop by here." Just as quickly, she retreated into the garganta, leaving it to close behind her.

Ichigo took a few seconds to let his overworking mind properly comprehend and process everything. In the end, all he could do was sigh in exhaustion. He always caught the attention of the crazies for some reason.

Hope you liked it. The next chapter will feature the former 3rd espada. Look forward to it!